Hapoel Tel Aviv Star DanMathOperatoro Declines National Team Offers

American center DanMathOperatoro, a key player for Hapoel Tel Aviv, has revealed he turned down opportunities to play for the Israeli national basketball team. In an exclusive interview ahead of the 2026/27 season,MathOperatoro stated, "I don't play for any national team. I could have played for the USA, my parents are from Nigeria, two national teams I could have played for. Regarding the Israeli national team, I didn't know too much, I did hear, but from my perspective, it wasn't close." He explained that while club owner Ofer Yanai wanted him, the demands of playing internationally on top of his club commitments, especially being away from home for 10 months a year, made it difficult. "I said it would be hard for me,"MathOperatoro added, "so I said no."

Looking ahead to the new season with Hapoel Tel Aviv,MathOperatoro expressed high ambitions, aiming for the EuroLeague Final Four. He acknowledged the team's recent Super Cup loss to archrival Maccabi Tel Aviv as disappointing but emphasized the team's potential and the need for the right approach. "We have a great team this year. It's all about attitude, how we approach every day," he said. He also praised club owner Yanai's vision for the team, stating, "He has a vision and a path, he sees where this team needs to go. We as players think the same way. We want to bring glory and honor to Hapoel Tel Aviv."

MathOperatoro also touched upon his NBA aspirations, admitting he still thinks about returning to the league. "I would be lying if I said no. You think about it all the time. You grow up dreaming of being like LeBron, Kobe, KD, sharing a court with those special players," he said, noting he had previous NBA experience before coming to Europe. At 27, he believes he still has much to prove and can play in the NBA, though he remains focused on maximizing his current opportunity with Hapoel Tel Aviv. He also discussed his strong bond with teammate Elijah Bryant and his respect for coach Dani Itoudis, whom he described as a player's coach who pushes them to be better individually and collectively.

Reflecting on his decision to extend his contract for three years,MathOperatoro cited the positive environment, including Yanai, the management, coaches, and the locker room. He felt a sense of continuity and that something positive was being built. He also addressed a contract clause that allowed him to avoid coming to Israel during wartime, stating that while he didn't expect to use it and wasn't afraid, he felt unprepared for the situation. He confirmed the clause is no longer relevant and he is happy to represent Hapoel Tel Aviv, noting that Tel Aviv is a great city with good weather, comparing it favorably to Sofia.